Note: These policies do not apply to the office of Environmental Health and Safety when conducting safety inspections, checks, or complaint investigations. At times when hazards are noticed and routine health and safety inspections are not being conducted, students will still be required to address violations. Hazards that pose a significant, serious, or immediate threat to health and safety will be removed for the safety of the residents and building.

Fire, Health and Safety Regulations and Prohibited Items

SUNY New Paltz makes a concerted effort to comply with state health and fire safety standards. As such, students are responsible for upholding the following regulations. Here is a document which describes our campus regulations.

Because of the danger of fire and the limits on the amount of electricity which can be safely used on any given electrical circuit, the Department of Residence Life requires that all electronics are UL approved. Furthermore, it is expected that resident exercise good judgment in using electrical appliances in university housing facilities. Televisions, VCRs, stereos, and computer equipment are permitted provided that all occupants of the room agree.

Refrigerators cannot exceed five (5) cubic feet in volume and cannot exceed three (3) amps of electrical power. Microwave ovens are not permitted in the student rooms. Micro-fridges are permitted and are available for rent or purchase at the beginning of each semester through Campus Auxiliary Services.

Monthly Health & Safety Room Inspections

Complex directors and resident assistants conduct health and safety room inspections of each student room once a month. This is to ensure that safety issues such as overloaded electrical outlets, extension cords, major electrical appliances and other health and safety concerns or violations are discussed with residents. This allows the resident to become aware of safety issues within the room or suite. Health and safety checks include visual checks of the entire room and/or suite.

Is the room too dirty? Have bathrooms been cleaned properly and consistently? Have work requests been completed? Does anything need to be repaired?

The inside of the closet may only be visually inspected where the staff may open closet doors or curtains to do so. The same applies for looking under the beds. At no time will residence hall staff go through any resident‘s belongings. The purpose of checking these areas is not to invade a student‘s privacy but to ensure health and safety hazards are not present.

Residents are given a written official request/warning describing the violation and requesting that said violation is removed or corrected. Residents will have 24 hours to comply with the request(s). Failure to comply with such requests will result in disciplinary action.

Room Cleaning/Decorating

The custodial personnel is trained to maintain public areas on daily schedule. Residents are responsible for keeping their rooms clean. Hasbrouck Complex (suite style) residents are also responsible for keeping their suite and bathroom areas clean. Vacuum cleaners, mops, brooms, and other cleaning supplies are available for student use. Large trash containers are in the trash room of each building. Dumpsters are in the rear of each building. Dirt and other debris are not to be left in the hallways or bathrooms. In suite style halls, bathrooms and common lounges are the responsibility of members of the suite. The hall staff is more than willing to help the suite members facilitate any meetings regarding a suite-cleaning schedule.

Students are permitted to decorate their rooms provided they adhere to the regulations outlined in the Fire Health Safety Regulations and Prohibited Items List 2017 - 2018.pdf . Residents are reminded that they are responsible for any damage to the walls as a result of hanging objects. Room/suite walls are not to be vandalized or written upon. All residents are expressly prohibited from attaching any item to the ceiling of the room or suite.